Basketball: Bobcat Boys, Girls Capture Christmas Tournament Consolation Games

The Clarion Area Boys and Girls Basketball Teams both bounced back from losses in Christmas Tournament openers, to capture third place.

Boys – Punxutawney Christmas Tournament

The Bobcats came back from Wednesday’s (December 29th) 42-41 loss to Cameron County, in their Punxsutawney Christmas Tournament opener, to defeat the Marion Center Stingers 53-47 for third place, on Thursday (December 30th).

The Bobcats had three players in double-figures. Christian Simko’s 19 points led the way, followed by Devon Lauer’s 12 points and Dawson Smail’s ten. Devon’s points all came from long range, as he hit on 4 treys. Dawson had a pair of three-pointers.

Aidan Quinn and Derek Smail each had 4 points, while Gabe Simko and Kameron Merrell contributed two points apiece.

The Stingers held a 13-12 lead after one, but with a 9-8 Clarion advantage in the second, the score was knotted 21-all at the half. A 17-16 Marion Center edge in the third, had the Stingers up 38-37 heading to the last stanza. But a huge 16-9 edge by the Cats, in the fourth, set the 53-47 final.

Dakota Bracken and Evan Risinger led Marion Center with 12 and 10 points respectively.

Cameron County defeated Punxsutawney 41-37 to claim the tournament championship.

The Bobcats are scheduled to play Forest Area at East Forest High School in Marienville, next Wednesday (January 5th).

Girls – Kane Christmas Tournament

After falling to eventual champion North Clarion 55-23, in their Kane Christmas Tournament opener on Tuesday December 28th), Clarion came back to win the consolation game, defeating the Youngsville Eagles 54-24 on Wednesday (December 29th).

Rebeckah Ketner and Gia Babington led the Cats, with 15 and 10 points respectively. Rebekah had 4 three-point buckets and Gia had two from long range.

Payton Simko scored 8 points, Taylor Alston had 7 and Sophie Babington scored six. Sophie had a pair of treys. Noel Anthony scored 4 points, while Paola Lopez and Natalie Durish each contributed two.

The Bobcats had a 15-6 lead after one and with a 14-8 second quarter advantage, Clarion led 29-14 at the half. Clarion’s 12-7 edge in the third, had them on top 41-21 heading to the fourth, where the Cats’ 13-5 advantage set the final.

The Eagles were led by Kenzie Olewine’s twelve points.

North Clarion defeated Kane 56-30 for the championship.

Clarion is scheduled to host Forest Area next Wednesday (January 5th).

(Good Going, Bobcats!!!!)